Japan today

III Ways and customs

III.1 Traditions and Japanese

One of the most fascinating things in Japan, in my opinion, is the attachment of the Japanese to their traditions, even if most of these ceremonial events come from China. I mean, even if there are 124,6 million inhabitants concentrated in only 80,000 square kilometres, they attach a great importance to the respect of rites and customs. So, all the year, we can attend many processions and festivals. Here are a few of them, because, even if some have disappeared, there are still too many to enumerate:
New Year's Day is probably the most important festival for the Japanese, because everyone wears kimonos, ladies' hair is done up in the traditional style of Edo Japan. To allow people to go to shrines and temples to pray, shops, buses and trains run all night. With all the factories closed and business quiet, it's probably the only night when you can see the Mount Fuji from T�ky�. Moreover, it's a national holiday!
Setsubun is equally very well-known. According to the Lunar calendar, "Setsubun" takes place on February 3^rd, or 4^th, and marks the end of the winter. So, people crowd into temple grounds to participate in the traditional ceremony of throwing beans to drive away imaginary devils, shouting "Fortune in, Devils out!".
On March 3^rd, Hinamatsuri, the special festival for girls, takes place: Every girl has to arrange her set of "Hina" dolls and miniature household articles, which represent the Emperor and Empress in ancient costumes, their ministers and other dignitaries, court ladies and musicians... Boys have also their festival on May 5^th. But they don't have to exhibit dolls but carp streamers. The carp which is the symbol, for the Japanese, of courage and gallantry.

Tanabata is in July. It's the Star Festival. According to a romantic Chinese legend, this is the one night of the year when the Cowherd Star is able to cross the Milky Way and meet the Weaver Star. So, children set up bamboo branches to which strips of paper bearing their wishes are tied. Still in July, Bon Festival is celebrated. According to Buddhist belief, the souls of ancestors come back to this world during Bon. The Japanese welcome them on the first day and see them off on the last day, lighting the way back with lanterns and Bon Odori folk dances are performed.
November 15^th is Sichigosan: It literally means "seven-five-three" and the children (7 year old girls, 5 year old boys, 3 year old boys and girls), dressed in their best (traditionally in kimonos) are taken to the shrines by their parents to express their thanks to the deities for their good health and to pray for future blessings.

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